It’s election year. This means you will hear two phrases in the media over the next 6 months. They are the terms “flip-flop” and “U-turn”. The media is exceptionally good at spotting a flip flop or U-turn in the opinion of a candidate. While keeping the politicians ‘honest’ is important, I get concerned when the … More Great Leaders Flip-Flop!
“You don’t understand,” I said partly in jest, “It has nothing to do with their fear of change. It’s ALL my own insecurities.” As soon as I heard the words leave my mouth, even though I was meaning them to bring humour, I knew they were true. I was trying to work out what my … More Letting Go
Around our house we have duties that everyone has to do each week on rotation as a part of being in the family. Then there are the tasks like mowing the lawns which I can do for free, or the kids can do for money. Of course the first question is “how much do I … More How much do I get paid?
As a kid growing up we had a black and white TV in my parents room, and a colour TV in the lounge. As you can imagine the difference when switching between the two was stunning. Equally as stunning is the difference in us when we are being black and white, compared to when we … More Choosing to be colourful
One of the things my son and I do for weekend kicks is launching ourselves down our street, which has a reasonably steep hill, on skateboards. There’s something about gaining momentum that is fun and exhilarating. And as the formula P = MV rightly points out, the bigger you are the faster you go. As … More How to build momentum
One of the first computer games I ever developed in my teens was a very simplistic helicopter game, where you would hunt out submarines and bomb them. It was simplistic for two reasons, the first of which I was learning to code, and the second because all games were clunky back then, which is what … More When to settle for good enough
As I open the door and step across the threshold, I’m struck by the sweet aroma of fresh coffee. The warmth inside contrasts the crisp air outside, as does the bustle and noise of a busy café. I glance around the café and take comfort from the fact I see no-one I know. I slide … More How to create space to think
You know when you repaint a room a different colour, and the first coat of the new fresh paint doesn’t look quite as you expected. You’re pretty sure it will be OK, but until you get the rest of the paint on you won’t know. Last week, with our annual conference looming and our strategy … More How to stop people thinking outside the box.
Some people are easy to follow. There is something about them that gives us belief in ourselves and a desire to follow them and make great things happen. Other people are harder to follow. Being around them, following them, can be draining and demoralising. A few years ago I developed an acronym for what makes … More One word that defines extraordinary leaders
With the exception of primary school, the first book I ever read cover to cover was when I was 27 years old. It was a Tom Clancy novel. The first business book I ever read was in my early 30’s, ‘The One Minute Manager’. My journey with reading really took off as the founder of … More Learning to read changed my life.
As arrogant as it sounds, if you ask me for help, I’ll most likely say No. I often don’t even give a reason it’s just, No. But it’s a great cause… No. You’re the only one who can help… (the only one, really?) … No. Last time you helped … I did. Sorry, No. Over … More The worlds most powerful question
One of the first things you notice when you take a Tuk Tuk ride in Cambodia is the way they use their horns. They beep as a warning. Not out of frustration or anger, rather to let the scooter in front know they are there. To avoid a collision. To keep them both safe. They … More How do you give warnings?
“Failure’s not fun. But failure is required. Failure in the service of learning, of experimenting, of making things – this is essential. When you’re learning to walk, no one criticizes you when you fall down. Parents understand that you do it wrong and then you do it right. But that’s about the last time you … More Shame and failure
The road ahead of us bends to the left and intersects with our small cul-de-sac which climbs off to the right. With our ‘L‘ plates front and back, and me in the passenger seat, I clearly instruct the first time driver “don’t cut the corner”. It is after all a perfect corner for cutting. My … More Why cutting corners matters!
In your job; at school; when at home; or even in your relationships … are you seeking security or impact? Security equals safety and stability. It’s the status quo that is free from the fear of change. Impact on the other hand is a forceful word. Think collision. It’s influence. Change. And forward momentum. To … More Is chasing security really going to change the world?
